Andreas Scholl Awarded German Federal Cross of Merit

Andreas Scholl and his wife, pianist Tamar Halperin, have been awarded Germany’s Federal Cross of Merit. The German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier bestowed Germany’s highest decoration on them in a ceremony at Bellevue Castle in Berlin on 1st October. The medal honours exceptional civic engagement and social and cultural merit. President Steinmeier:

“Pianist Tamar Halperin and countertenor Andreas Scholl are celebrated on concert stages around the world. And they are among the most experimental artists in the music world. Their repertoire ranges from baroque to contemporary, but also includes jazz and pop. With the unifying power of their music, the German-Israeli couple brings people of diverse backgrounds together. They also build interpersonal bridges through their diverse civic engagement. Andreas Scholl is a member of the local council in his hometown of Kiedrich. He was also one of the first musicians to perform in Kyiv in 2024 and even gave a masterclass in the bunkers there. The two regularly organize benefit concerts and are involved in social projects – because, as Tamar Halperin and Andreas Scholl say, human interaction is at least as important as a career.”

The commitment to the open society continues. Andreas Scholl is expected to return to Kyiv, for an appearance at the 2025 Kyiv Baroque Fest.

Watch the full ceremony here.